Current Exhibitions

Museum Matters: April 2013

Monthly Newsletter from

the Jewish Museum of Maryland

Songs, Stories and New Lives:

The JMM is delighted to announce that our annual Herbert H. and Irma B. Risch Memorial Program on immigration will take place on Sunday, April 14. Join us for a free concert, Songs of Arrival/Stories of Refuge, as we celebrate the cultural contributions of immigrant groups through musical performances. Each year Frank and Helen Risch generously sponsor a public program in honor of Frank’s late parents, Herbert and Irma Risch, who, as German Jewish refugees in the 1930s, found safe haven in the US. This year’s program will take place at the Langsdale Library Auditorium on the University of Baltimore Campus (1420 Maryland Avenue). The event begins at 4pm and will feature four musical performances that share a story of immigration – Andres Salguero, Ssuuna, The DC Turkish Folk Music Group, and Susan Leviton.Andres Salguero, an educator and an award-winning singer-songwriter from Colombia, enjoys promoting multiculturalism, Spanish language and Latin culture. In 2000, Andrés was the recipient of the National Composition Contest in his native Colombia. He holds a Doctorate in Music from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and has been performing for children since 2007.

Ssuuna is a dancer, percussionist, singer, songwriter, and recording artist from Uganda. Raised in a time of civil war and political turmoil, he turned to the Ugandan traditional music to alleviate his hopelessness and suffering. Today Ssuuna develops and performs educational programs that teach and promote tolerance and diversity through an exotic fusion of traditional and contemporary East African music, dance and storytelling, accompanied by traditional instruments.

The DC Turkish Folk Music Groupconsists of all volunteer musicians and singers. In 2003, the group was established as the Greater Washington Area Turkish Music and Choral Society. The main purposes of the Washington DC Turkish Folk Music Group are to keep Turkish folk music alive, to practice and to educate. It is a non-profit and is open to everyone who wants to learn and practice Turkish Folk Music.

Susan Leviton is an interpreter of Jewish songs, and a master calligrapher and papercutter. She is one of the only contemporary female performers reviving the craft of a cappella Yiddish singing, using storytelling to convey appreciation and understanding to non-Yiddish speaking audiences. Based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Susan frequently tours with her art workshops, residencies and concerts.

In addition to the musical performances, guest speaker, Mark Hetfield, CEO and President of HIAS will discuss that organization’s changing work over the past 130 years of working with immigrants. He will also honor Inge Weinberger, former Executive Director of HIAS Baltimore, and herself a German Jewish refugee who came to the US in the 1930s.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information please visit www.jewishmuseummd.org or contact rcylus@jewishmuseummd.org / 410-732-6400 ext. 215. Program co-sponsors include THE ASSOCIATED, Baltimore Jewish Council, HIAS, and the University of Baltimore.

Your Chance to be a Part of the Alliance:

AAM, the national organization of museums, has held more than 100 annual meetings in its long history…but this May, in Baltimore, they will hold their first annual meeting under their new name: The American Alliance of Museums. The host committee for the meeting has created a unique way for you to join the Alliance.

If you go to the webpage www.baltimore.org/museumweek and click on the tab that says “six-word project”, you can create a message that will greet all the delegates to the meeting. Following the model of Ernest Hemingway, who was asked to write an entire story in just six words, you’ll be invited to compress your favorite museum experience into a half dozen blanks. We’re sure you’ll be writing about JMM so as a tip we’d point out that if you don’t use spaces you can make ZapPowBam into one word!

While you are on the museum week website, check out some of the other treats planned for late May. Under special events you will find our listing of a public workshop on developing historic spaces that will be held in the Lloyd Street Synagogue on May 20. May 20 will be a free day at JMM but we’re asking you to RSVP for the workshop.

Join us on as we welcome Shabbat with singing, dancing, puppets and more. Your child will learn the blessings over the candles, wine (grape juice) and Challah. Families will also engage in a Jewish ritual craft project to take home. Following the program, JMM exhibits will be open for families to visit.

Light refreshments served. Beer and wine provided for purchase. Brews & Schmooze is sponsored through the generous support of the Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Fund for the Enrichment of Jewish Education.

Bessie Bluefeld Living History Debut

Tuesday, April 30, reception: 6:30pm / performance: 7:00pm

Free Admission

Join us as we present our newest living history character from the Leo V. Berger Immigrant’s Trunk program. Bessie Bluefeld was a young immigrant woman who made a name for herself in the catering business. Her company, Bluefeld Catering, became synonymous with quality and class throughout Baltimore. Meet actress Terry Nicholetti as she portrays Baltimore icon, Bessie Bluefeld.

Jews on The Move Program

Thursday, May 2, 8:oo pm

Beth El Congregation

8101 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208

View the JMM exhibit Jews on The Move that explores the history of the Jewish exodus from the city to the northwest suburbs. Program details will be announced shortly.

Meet the Austrian Ambassador

Thursday, May 9

A joint program with the AJC, Moishe House and B’nai Israel Young Adult

Learn about Jewish life in Austria today with special guest Ambassador Dr. Hans Peter Manz

More Programs

NEWS FROM DC

Baltimore is fortunate to have not just one but two Jewish museum experiences within a 50 mile radius. In each month’s Museum Matters, we are pleased to share with you programs taking place at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. Each month’s Museum Matters features

Have questions? Contact rsvp@jhsgw.org for more information. We hope to see you there!

EXHIBITIONS

Exhibits currently on display at the JMM includeZAP! POW! BAM! The Superhero: The Golden Age of Comic Books, 1938-1950;Voices of Lombard Street: A Century of Change in East Baltimore; and The Synagogue Speaks!

Jews on the Move:Baltimore and the Suburban Exodus, 1945-1968 is currently on view at Beth El Congregation (8101 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208).

HOURS AND TOUR TIMES

The JMM is open Sunday-Thursday, 10am – 5pm. We offer tours of our historic synagogues each day at 11:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, and 4:00.

MUSEUM SHOP

The JMM Museum Shop is chock full of fun mementos to take home with you as a souvenir of your visit to Zap! Pow! Bam!

Check these out! For more information and to purchase your special item, call Esther Weiner, 410-732-6400 x211 / eweiner@jewishmuseummd.org.

GET INVOLVED

Now that we are open more hours, we are looking for additional volunteers to help staff our front desk, work in the gift shop, and lead tours as docents. No prior knowledge or training is required. All that is needed is an interest in learning about the JMM, our historic sites, exhibits, and programs and a desire to share this knowledge with the public. All volunteers are provided with thorough training. If you are interested in learning more about our volunteer program, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Ilene Cohen at 410.732.6400 x217 or icohen@jewishmuseummd.org.

MEMBERSHIP

We have officially launched our new membership program. Revamped and revitalized, membership at the JMM is now better than ever – with new categories, benefits, and discounts to enrich every visit to the Museum for you and your friends and families. You can purchase your membership here!

All members will receive our monthly e-newsletter, along with a 10% discount at the Museum store, free general admission to the Museum, free admission to all regular programs, attendance at exclusive member opening events and discounted weekday parking at the City-owned garage at 1001 E. Fayette Street. Your membership provides much needed funding for the many programs that we offer and we hope we can count on you for your continued support. For more information about our membership program, please contact Sue Foard at (410) 732-6400 x220 or sfoard@jewishmuseummd.org.